Finding the serial number on a laptop is tricky if you don't know where to look. Laptops generally have several tags containing various codes.

• I used an ISO software which allows me to delete the service tag in the BIOS. Once deleting the service tag, you can type in a new service tag to match the.
• The public tool allows model number changes. There is one that is 'only available to authorized service providers' that allows SN changes (mainly for motherboard replacements). Depends on the model, HP used to have a button press combination in the BIOS to enable the fields to be changed.

We recently had a motherboard changed on a Latitude D630 and then discovered some funny things happening in spiceworks. The laptop was being reported as an OptiPlex workstation instead of a Latitude laptop and the warranty info was incorrect. After looking into the problem I discovered the Service tag in the BIOS did not match the service tag on the bottom of the laptop and that is why information was being reported incorrectly. After being on the phone with Dell (and trying to use the asset application to change the service tag) I was told that the motherboard had to be replaced and the tech would put on the correct service tag. This didn't seem right to me as the system was working perfectly otherwise, so I did some digging on the net. Here is my solution.

Update: this 'How to' is quite old now and seems not to work on newer models. Some people have had luck with finding newer Dell diagsnostic cd images or see this article:
http://www.anchor.com.au/blog/2013/06/how-hard-is-it-to-set-the-service-tag-on-a-dell-motherboard/

Dell Laptop Serial Number Location

9 Steps total

Step 1: Download the Dell Latitude and Inspirion BIOS Upgrade and Diagnostics CD

I found it here:
http://rs331tl.rapidshare.com/files/145322470/4125801/Dell_Portable_Bios_and_Diags_Rev_A34.zip
THIS LINK IS DEAD....try this instead

http://pcemporium.webs.com/Dell%20Bios%20Reset.iso
it's not the same software but works....

Step 2: Unzip the file and burn the ISO to a cd

Unzip the file using winzip or 7-zip and you will end up with a file called Dell Portable Bios and Diags Rev A34.iso. Use Nero, Roxio, Image Burn (whatever program you might have) to burn the image to a cd.

Step 3: Boot from the cd

Stick the cd in the laptop and turn it on. Hit F12 at the DELL logo and you will get the Preparing one-time boot menu ..... choose CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive.

Step 4: Choose a selection

The cd will boot up and give you 4 options to select from. Choose option 3. Run the Service Tag Utility

Step 5: Erase the current service tag

It will come up and warn you that choosing yes will erase the asset, owner and service tag. Luckily we don't use either of the first two fields so I just choose yes and hit enter. If you do use asset and owner info in the BIOS I suggest you write them down first.

Step 6: Enter in the correct Service Tag

It will then erase the incorrect service tag and ask you to enter a new one. Enter in the correct one and hit enter.

Step 7: Verify the Service Tag

It will ask you to verify the service tag. Enter in the correct service tag and hit enter again.

Step 8: Are you Sure?

It will ask you if you are sure you want to change the service tag. Choose yes

Dell Serial Number Lookup Tool

Step 9: Operation successful

It should tell you it was successful. Remove the cd and reboot. Your service tag is now changed. I tried rescanning the laptop in spiceworks but alot of the info was still messed up so I deleted and scanned the network... from there everything was fine.

I hope this comes in handy..

28 Comments

• Cayenne
  Anthony384 Sep 2, 2010 at 09:18am

  Usually the tech that does the replacement updates the bios and the service tag. Nice to have the utility just in case he forgets!

  Thanks

• Poblano
  bradje Sep 5, 2010 at 03:41pm

  Nice one mate. Very helpful.
  JB

• Thai Pepper
  Emerson Leal Sep 6, 2010 at 05:32pm

  Great research job! Thanks for share.

• Jalapeno
  BHollinger Jan 24, 2011 at 09:34am

  I used this and it made for an easy tag fix.

• Tabasco
  Kev840 Feb 10, 2011 at 01:53pm

  You CAN use the asset utility to change the service tag. It is an undocumented switch. run asset /s SERVICETAG, where SERVICETAG = the service tag you want to enter. Works like a charm on Optiplex & Latitude.

• Serrano
  John8753 Feb 10, 2011 at 02:18pm

  I basically wrote this how to because I could not get the /s to work. The Dell tech had me download a few different versions of asset from their website but that also failed using the /s. This was the only way I was able change the service tag.

• Pimiento
  johngr8 May 12, 2012 at 02:08am

  Hi guys that link above does not work , i need to change the service tag in my laptop , really appreciated

  Cheers
  john

• Pimiento
  rendezo Oct 7, 2012 at 03:27pm

  Hello,

  Please share it again.

  Thank You

• Anaheim
  JFMAN960 Dec 12, 2012 at 10:03pm

  With all due respect to John's how-to, the link in that post does not work. I was able to find another link outside the community with an ISO that works for Latitude (I only tried it on D620, D830, and E6400). It does not appear to work for desktops - at least not the GX520 or GX745 models.

  Here's the link: http://pcemporium.webs.com/Dell%20Bios%20Reset.iso

  I found it under the blog: http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/19369-Dell-Bios-Editing-Removing-Bios-Lock-Changing-Service-Asset-Tag-Software-Here

  I burned the ISO to CD, booted from same and it worked perfectly.

• Serrano
  John8753 Jan 25, 2013 at 08:32pm

  Thanks JFMAN.... I'd been unable to find a new link but yours works fine :)

• Pimiento
  darrentownley2004 Nov 25, 2013 at 06:24pm

  This does not work for Lattitude e6530. Does anyone know where I can get a newer version?

• Pimiento
  gtoss Dec 28, 2013 at 12:05am

  I can not get it to boot on my laptop

• Pimiento
  wahiduzzamanwahid Feb 24, 2014 at 08:59am

  Hello dear, It is not working for Dell Latitude E5420.

• Pimiento
  johnnywoodbury Jan 17, 2015 at 03:08am

  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I had to replace my motherboard and when i did the service tag changed, so my windows was no longer genuine. i did the slmgr -rearm so many times until i couldnt do it anymore, then i thought well maybe i can change the service tag and then i stumbled upon this. I am so happy i had to create a profile to tell you thank you so much!! AWESOME! LIFE SAVER! I nearly paid to get a new product key! JUST AWESOME! saved me 110.00 bucks!

• Pimiento
  abdelhak2 Nov 18, 2015 at 09:43am

  my problem is that i can't boot with cd/dvd , just internal HDD , anyone can help on this one ??

• prev
• 1
• 2
• next

Finding the service tag number in Dell laptops is the elementary task to get warranty or service. The same is applicable for other brands, as well. The service tag number in Dell, or the serial number, is the method for uniquely identifying a laptop, notebook, or any other device. You can always have Dell service tag lookup, or the serial number lookup, by visiting the OEM’s website. But the method they show, involve downloading and installing of numerous programs. There isn’t any doubt, the programs are lightweight, but why install a separate app, when you can get the serial number without them.

You can have the Dell laptop serial number, without downloading any dell service tag checker. You just need to type a command and get the serial number right in front of you. Though the easier method is to have a look at the sticker just underneath your system. You can get the service tag number, express service code, or any such details there. But with an old laptop, it might be difficult to maintain the sticker at its place. So, now I will be showing you the easiest tutorial here to find Dell service tag or serial number on Windows and Linux.

How To Change Bios Serial Number Dell Computer

Finding Dell service tag or serial number On Windows

Open Command Prompt. Hit the ‘Windows + R’, type ‘cmd’, and press the enter key.

Just type ‘wmic bios get serial number’, and hit the enter key. Now the service tag for your laptop will be in front of you.

Find My Dell Serial Number

Finding Dell service tag or serial number on Linux

Most users run Linux on their Dell laptop. It isn’t again a difficult task to find the service tag number for Dell and other laptops on Linux, as well. You might need superuser or administrator privileges for this command though.

Open ‘Terminal’, and type ‘sudo dmidecode -s system-serial-number’, and hit the enter key. You might be asked to type your password. Once you are done, the Dell service tag number will be shown to you.

After the Dell service tag number lookup, you can give it to the customer care executive or see the system specs, along with your warranty.

Hope the Dell service tag lookup tool or method, was helpful for you. Faced any issues? Let me know about it in the comment section down below.